County of Brant Council approved the construction of a batting cage for Burford Optimist and Lions Park during its regular Council meeting on Tuesday, April 28, 2026.
According to a staff report, the Burford Optimist Club approached the County about the project and will cover all costs associated with it.
Coming in at an estimated price tag of $35,000, the cost will cover the construction of the batting case as well as associated amenities and accessories including a pitching machine, storage unit, batting mat, balls and a lock. The County has agreed to contribute staff resources to prepare the site and provide electrical servicing, noting that no additional capital contribution is required from the municipality.
The County will own and operate the asset once construction is completed, and Burford Optimist Youth Softball will receive priority access to the cage at no extra charge.
As part of the agreement, the Burford Optimist Club is permitted to display sponsorship signage near the batting cage to recognize the donors who contributed to it. A future operating agreement with the club will also provide for revenue to be split evenly to support ongoing maintenance and upkeep.
Noting that the Paris Youth Softball Association teamed up with the County for a similar project in 2025, the staff report states that the new facility will allow for additional training time and provide opportunities for an increased level of competitive sport for Burford and area residents.
During the meeting, Burford Optimist Club president Heather Keam thanked the Council for its approval.
“This is an important investment in our community, especially our young people. What makes this project truly special is how it came together,” she said. “It was 100 per cent community led; families, volunteers, other baseball clubs and supporters raised over $40,000, every dollar coming from the community itself. This wasn’t just about building a structure. It was about people stepping up to create something they believe in, something for our local youth. When something is built this way, there’s a different kind of ownership, a different kind of pride. It belongs to the community.”
Keam explained that the club has supported youth baseball in Burford, primarily through a house league program, for over 20 years.
“Over time, we began hearing from the youth themselves that they wanted more opportunity, more challenges and more ways to grow in the game. At the same time, like many communities, we were facing a real volunteer challenge,” she said. “Rather than creating a separate organization or sports association and stretching volunteers even further, the Optimist Club stepped in to support this growth and act as a backbone to help make this possible. That led us to joining the South Oxford Softball League to create a more competitive pathway for players who are looking to grow. As a club, our vision is to make sure that every young person in our community has a place to play, to develop and to feel like they belong. The batting cage is part of that shared asset that will support players at all levels now and into the future.”
Stacey Mitchell, co-founder and lead convenor of the Burford Panthers, later told Council that baseball has grown in popularity over the past few years, and that it will only continue to grow.
“Keeping youth sports in Burford is vital. Additions like the batting cage and future diamond upgrades will help kids playing in Burford develop skills with all the tools available to bigger city players,” she said. “Our vision is to invest in the growth of the Burford Ballpark in order to support the continued growth of this sport. Upgrades to the ballpark will encourage increased community engagement and allow greater opportunities to host more games and tournaments, generating revenue for the ball leagues and area businesses. Being active, making friends and having fun, all in Burford at their own ballpark–doesn’t that sound like a place your kids want to be?”
Riley Sietz, a ten-year-old pitcher with the Burford Panthers, also had the opportunity to address Council.
“This batting cage that you’ve approved will be very helpful for me to reach my future goal to become a D1 baseball player. Today, I would like to thank you for approving our Burford batting cage, I know my team can’t wait to use it,” she said. “A batting cage is better for team players because they’re hitting off a fast and accurate pitch like in a game. It is also easier for coaches to see what level you’re at for hitting, and they could be running another drill while the rest of the team is practicing hitting. Another benefit is this is going to bring our community together and make people want to spend more time at our Burford park.”
The youngster then thanked the Burford Optimist Club for its support, the Burford Panthers for keeping baseball local, and Council for believing in youth sports.
Councillor Jennifer Kyle said she was happy to see the project moving forward, stating that it will allow for young players to develop their skills.
Councillor David Miller then asked how the bookings for the batting cage will work and Mitchell said they’re still ironing out the full details.
“We’re looking at that process as it is yet to be determined,” she responded. “We’re hoping that once it’s built, we can figure out how we can book it internally, and then look at a booking process that we can do in partnership with the County.”
Mayor David Bailey later thanked the Burford Optimist Club for everything they do, stating that the Burford is a great part of the community.
“Burford is a stellar part of the County and it’s very strong, so thank you for all you do,” he said. “I’m not just saying that. Everything that Burford tackles is done properly and on time.”
Kimberly De Jong’s reporting is funded by the Canadian government through its Local Journalism Initiative.The funding allows her to report rural and agricultural stories from Blandford-Blenheim and Brant County. Reach her at kimberly.dejong@brantbeacon.ca.
